At a time when our troops' lives are under the most serious danger,
they are also under the most intense scrutiny.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena ... who strives ... who spends himself ... and who at worst,
if he fails, at least he fails whilst daring,
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat!
(Theodore Roosevelt)

by H Marshall
Scotland
2004

We, who have marched
that desert trail before
and felt the cold glare
of scared critic's eyes
burning more fierce
than the sun on our back,
know how you must now
also bear such searing heat.

Even though these distant critics
have seen nothing of dying comrades,
heard nothing of exploding shells,
smelt nothing of the stench of fear,
given nothing of their precious blood,
faced nothing more than a busy street,
but would judge your every move
from their cosy safe cocoons.

But we, who are of your kith and kin,
send our deepest respects,
our most loyal support
and our earnest prayers
that you, 'The Boys in Basrah',
will return safely home as men,
proud of the Argylls' good name
and the honour you upheld.